KnifeArt had sent over a knife for review a few months ago, right around when my daughter was born. I’m just about ready to do the final work on the review, but there’s been a question nagging me for some time.
How do I go about talking about KnifeArt?
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I hadn’t ordered from them before, but my scouring of the internet turned up mostly good recommendations. There are some discouraging testimonials from a few years ago, but the pattern for the past few years seems to be a very good customer experience. (See Bladeforums Feedback Thread.)
Do I go about creating a secret shopper experience? Do I ask Ben to go on a secret shopper experience? Someone else? A reader?
My gut tells me that it’s safe to give you the thumbs-up about KnifeArt, but I want to be sure. That brings me to this post. Have you ordered from KnifeArt? What was the experience like?
Now, about KnifeArt…
According to their “about” page, they are about being a fine knife destination, and pride themselves on carrying the best of the best in the knife industry.
For a lot of their offerings, this means higher-end production and custom knives. But they also carry more affordable knives. Well, affordable is relative.
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KnifeArt stocks everyday use knives, but not what I would consider beaters. Their product offerings are better described as heavy use knives that could also serve as pocket candy.
Spending more on a pocket knife means better materials and sometimes more exotic handle materials. There is a point of diminishing returns, but I can never tell where that is.
From what I’ve seen, I think $350 or so is the line after which you spend more on style, name, and craftsmanship, rather than the quality of materials.
$150 on a knife might be the line after which few users will need to spend more.
If you look through KnifeArt’s website, you’ll find a mix of heavy use knives with somewhat utilitarian designs, flashier knives with more personally-attachable designs, and pricier knives for enthusiasts with disposable income.
It was maybe a year ago that I decided to buy a Chris Reeve knife – a basic and bland design, but it still hurt my wallet. I wanted to see what their knives were about, and knew I could always resell it without much loss. What could a $375 knife do that a $25 knife cannot? A $75 knife? $150 knife? The answer’s still out on that one.
Look around on their site and you’ll find sub-$150 Benchmade and Zero Tolerance knives, made in the USA.
Why order from KnifeArt over another retailer? I’m hoping there will be some knife enthusiasts or collectors among our audience that could help answer that.
But I still think I’m going to order from KnifeArt myself prior to the review. It’s the only way to properly vet them.
That brings me to another question – is there any knife from the KnifeArt website that you’d be interested in seeing reviewed?
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And don’t worry, in addition to the Benchmade they sent over, I bought a bunch of $25 to $60 knives to test out. I think that the $30 is a good starting point for one’s first “real” pocket knife, and there are some decent offerings in the ~$50 price range. I always make a face when I open up a gear, gadget, or other magazine and find reviews or previews on stupid-expensive products. I’m well aware that not everyone wants or needs a pocket knife, let alone one a pricey one.
(Shown above is a photo of the Zero Tolerance 0450 that I reviewed.)
P.S. The Kershaw Knockout, just under $50 after holiday $10 coupon, is probably my “budget pick” these days.
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Nathan
too frilly. worse the site name says it all. OK so some might be more affordable – if you consider a 185 dollar pocketknife affordable.
but they are mostly look at me art from what i can see. tinted, fake hammered, some steel, knife blade – although carefully ground on the edge so it will work well – fancy handles that also need care and costs more than my table saw.
no thank you. That’s not to say I don’t like nice things – but the practical side of me oft wins out on things. This is something I can’t get behind.
Cr8ondt
Yeah I’ll stick to my beater knife… Milwaukee I got for Christmas last year. It’s an EDC used many times a day, still crazy sharp and it’s the factory edge.
Adam g
Cant get behind any knife costing over $75 so no interest from me. Its a tool not a showpiece.
William
I ordered from them a few times, first time in 2008, a Chris Reeve Umnumzaan, got the knife with no issues, and still use it today. No complaints.
I’d like to see some Winkler knives reviewed, they look really interesting.
demure
As I knife collector, I hear decent things about them. I suspect many of your readers will not be into some of the shelf queens they sell.
fred
Let me preface things by saying that I am not a knife aficionado. I have some old chef’s knives that a potentially worth some money – but while I might not buy a low-end poor quality knife, spending an awful lot on a knife that I might misplace in the woods or use as a tool – was never my thing.
Looking at the title of you blog (ToolGuyd), I thought I might remind myself of the definition of tool. So, looking at Merriam Webster the first definition is:
“a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task”
I guess if your “task” for a knife is is related to carpentry, electrical work, drywall or similar trade – you have one notion of what you want in a knife. If it is crafting, woodcarving or whittling – you might wish to go a bit further upscale. Some hunters and outdoorsman take pride of ownership in their knives – so that might force you further up the price scale. But for some of the very high prices – I suspect that your “task” associated with the knife you want to buy has to be “knife collecting”
RC WARD
And what is wrong with that?
Mark
The post never said there was anything wrong with knife collecting. It implied that it may belong on theis site and I ‘agree.’
Personally, on further reflection, I have some reservations. Knives are not ‘art’ in that they don’t enlighten except superficially. The are craft and I greatly appreciate craftsmanship. I’m just loathe to spend money on something so ‘superficial’ when it could be invested in people who might use it productively to everyone’s long term benefit. But hey, we all spend tons of money unproductively being entertained and thrilled so why not on fine craftsmanship.
fred
I did not say that was anything wrong with collecting knives or anything else. You can collect paper money and coins of the sort that you spend – or the sort that is a collectors item or investment. I would think, however, that that it would be very odd indeed if you had a $4 gold piece to go and buy a loaf of bread with it. Perhaps I’m wrong – but if I were to buy a $600+ Chris Reeve knife for collection purposes – I would no longer consider it a tool that I would put to use. I have a number of antique planes – that while perfectly useable they stay in their original boxes to be admired more than used.
Stuart
A good knife can be both, similar to watches.
I’d consider certain knives shelf warmers, but can’t say I have ever bought a knife I didn’t intend to use.
fred
Does the using of a “collector’s edition” knife reduce its value? I sometimes think that my not wearing (or at least exercising from time to time) the watches I keep in a bank vault may actually diminish their value. It certainly means that they may need to be serviced after a long period of inactivity. You may tell from this that I’m not exactly into watches either although I own several high-end ones mostly via inheritance. My son has espoused no interest either – but I’ll leave them for him to sell off if he wishes. Like knives – I can certainly see that others really like the owning of them – and when I’m in Switzerland, I’m not too surprised to see the hub-bub at the various watch counters. Bucherer in Lucerne is one of my favorite spots to see watch buyers – its also a good spot for their public toilets when you don’t want to walk back to the hotel.
Stuart
Probably. But some items are collected for value, others not necessarily.
A lot of knife enthusiasts buy, sell, and trade knives.
You’ll see this elsewhere. I recently bought my first telescope – finally – and was surprised to see eyepieces moving back and forth on forum classified. Some users have bought and sold the same eyepiece multiple times. The same can happen with camera lenses, knives, and other such things, but it just seemed unusual to me.
I enjoy exploring different knife styles, but not without regret. I still have a Benchmade flipper that just sucks.
I suppose I could be considered a knife collector, but then would I also be considered a tool collector? I don’t have “shelf queens” when it comes to tools or knives.
A broken tool can always be replaced, and if not, such as if it had a limited handle, that’s okay. A chipped knife blade can always be ground, sharpened, and honed back to perfection, but yes, that would definitely affect the resale value.
I use all of my knives and tools, but I will turn to beaters when I can, when things get ugly. Pounding on a hex key to remove bike pedals? I probably wouldn’t do that with my PB Swiss hex keys, which are otherwise my most-used hex keys.
fred
Thanks for the reply Stuart.
BTW – as the neighborhood’s unofficial bicycle repairman, when my kids were growing up – getting stuck pedals off were the “devil”. Back in those days – a 15mm pedal wrench was what you beat on – but I appreciate your point about the PB Swiss hex keys.
Maybe a hex impact socket and cordless impact gun? Try carrying the weight of that in your bike road kit? Luckily cone wrenches are usually more (than a pedal wrench) to the point of what you need on the road.
Keith
I’ve done one order from them. A Hinderer fatty. I probably read the same reviews as you but wanted to see how they were since my taste in knives has taken a step up in the past few years. Now, they did make a mistake and send me the wrong color, but I called and within minutes they express shipped me the correct one.
Regarding price range, buying an expensive knife is no different than buying an expensive watch. Speaking as a watch collector as well, it’s not practical to own a Rolex, especially if you have to wind it every few days. Same goes with an EDC. Why do I walk around with a $380 flipper that has a $75 lanyard bead? I know the only thing I’ll use it for is to open another knife package? 🙂 The way the knife market is now if you have buyers remorse there’s a good chance you could resell a higher end model without too much loss.
Rock Hound
Anytime I see “Tactical” in a title for any product, I take a pass. I have been using the same Case Sodbuster Jr. I bought for ~$14 several years ago. If I need anything else I might use one of the smaller Leatherman tools. The tools from that website are nice to look at, but too expensive to use as a tool, at least for me.
Sean
I like the site, I wish I had found it sooner. That said I would have been overwhelmed and turned off had I found it sooner.
I’m that guy that try’s to find SpiderCo, China Bucks from WallyWorld, and Kershaws on sale or on clearance. Now is actually that time to find the clearance $5 Buck at Walmart. The Christmas packaged ones that won’t fit in their display cases and won’t sell now that we’re past Christmas. I LOVE those type of deals. I have dozens of consumer brand named knives that I’ve bought on sale or clearance. I’m a knife guy.
That said, I bought my first $100 Benchmade last year, and it has yet to leave my pocket for one of my others. I’m still enamoured with it. I love it like no other piece of clothing I’ve ever had. I never thought I’d spend that kind of money on a knife ever, but the splurge has fought me that nice quality built things are some times worth it just for the feeling of satisfaction it gives me. It usually works exactly the opposite if I over pay for something. But there’s something about the $100 price point that allows me satisfaction after a year of service and let’s me check off that value box in my head and never had buyers remorse.
I bought my dad the same Benchmade this year for Christmas. He fondled mine for quite some time and said the same thing in passing. I just can’t spend $100 on a pocket knife, I should have known it was expensive. This should be one of the more love Christmas presents he’s ever received. Not because $100 is uber expensive for a present, but $100 is uber expensive for a pocket knife. He’ll carry for a year and wish he had jumped into that quality of knife sooner in life.
I think we’ll both be scouring KnifeArts website this year. Thanks for the hat tip.
(Btw, I got that $100 Benchmade Axis present for $65, free shipping no tax from Cabelas when they had a Benchmade sale this year. Knife art has the same knife for $97)
RC WARD
Anybody that would spend that kind of money on a pocket knife has way too much money and should donate a little to a good cause. Or just go buy a 1000 dollar knife to carry around because you can. Would if I could , can’t so I won’t
demure
You really do get what you pay for. Benchmade, kershaw, CRKT knives all cost what they are worth. Box cutters are a tool, and have their place, but there _is_ something to be said for knife that is quality built, that holds an edge, has good blade steel (like some of the new ones that are damn hard to rust), etc.
fred
My take on these comments is that: what something is worth is best defined by the individual. We may derive pleasure from the possession of objects that may not have much utilitarian worth – but has that “je ne sais quoi” making it good value for us. We also can all decide what we wish to spend our money on and to what extent. Most of us probably do not espouse asceticism or adhere to the advice in Matthew 19:21 – but to RC Ward’s point, I would hope that supporting good works is also part of what we do with our money – whether or not we decide to buy expensive pocket knives – as these concepts are not mutually exclusive.
Nathan
so in the middle ground there is plenty. IE I don’t need or what cocobolo handles on a knife I’m going to actually use – even in my kitchen but more on that in a bit. Why because tomorrow I’m going to need to open up a can of something like skydrol which is one of the most caustic substances I know – and if some got on said cocobolo handles it would indeed stain and eventually ruin them.
had however those handles been G10 or brushed SS or something equally impervious – far far more useful product. Now does that product cost 80 dollars – well it might. What do I carry a leatherman skeletool – thanks to this site actually as I never thought of it before.
Now – to that end what do you need more than a 500 dollar speciality pretty knife – you need a solid blade. yes. but you also need to spend some dollars on a quality knife sharpener. Why because no matter the wondermetal marketing gimick that doesn’t have an ANSI rating they all get dull if they get used.
and a dull knife no matter the price is useless.
RC WARD
Big 5 is the way to go for EDC knives. Just watch their ads and jump on the first one you see that is a killer deal. Kershaw for 20 bucks? Can’t beat that and if you lose it, well just go get another one.
RC WARD
What could a $375 knife do that a $25 knife cannot? A $75 knife? $150 knife? The answer’s still out on that one. I think the answer is “not much”
Stuart
Yep, that seems to be where I’ve been leaning.
But there are vast differences in how to get from “task identified” to “task complete.”
What’s been confusing me now is the $100+ tops and pocket finger toys that seem to be all the rage.
Ian
I would say depends on the knife. I am (more than a little) biased, being that I was once a professional knifemaker, now somewhat part time.
Especially in the kitchen arena, handmade knives can often do things that factory knives just plain can’t.
The same applies for other types of knives to more or lesser degrees depending on the knife type and intended use. For smaller edc or working type blades, it is hard to beat a lot of the factory stuff out there, especially the last couple years.
I can say that many folks will buy a $2k hunting rifle, spend $7k on a polaris to ride a half mile to their stand, $500 on fancy camo that a deer doesnt care about anyways, and then struggle skinning their kill with a dull $25 Wal-Mart knife, and still complain it was too expensive. Never made much sense to me…
Jim Felt
I love the craftsmanship of Kershaw and Al Mar and the rest but know nothing. And carry none.
My dad carried a folding Buck his entire life. He didn’t live to meet a TSA agent so those and the Victorinox I repeatedly got him for Christmas over the years as EDC (not a common use word before recently) is my only experience and, so far, interest in these knives. That said I’ve personally been given Kershaw and Gerber knives over the years and have simply kept or even gifted them as the client might have wished.
Stuart (accidentally?) got me to clip a little Leatherman to my various car and regular key chains and that’s my first EDC. Ever.
So thanks Stuart!
Ed Misley
I picked up a handful of Kershaw’s at Big 5 on clearance a couple of years ago. Still using (and occasionally abusing) the first one everyday. I am not a knife collector, just like I am not a watch collector. So I don’t but a $300 tool when a $19.98 one will do.
–Ed
Jay
Color me Spyderco. I EDC a Spyderco Dragonfly 2 plain edge. Sometimes my Spyderco hides from me so until it turns up again, a Sog Flash I takes it’s place. That’s the thing about me and expensive knives. Lose a dragonfly or a Flash l it’s no biggie. I just buy another. Lose a high dollar blade and “she who must be obeyed” will give me that look of her’s. Used to EDC a Benchmade mini grip (2.56 oz) but the lighter weight of the dragonfly (1.2 oz) and the sog (1.3 oz) made them a better fit.
JMG
I guess your attitude towards their site will be predicated on how much disposable income you have and your level of interest in knives. That being said, the offerings they sell make for a pretty picture book. The type that used to sit on the coffee table in the living room, to remind us of what could be, if only… The selection they have trends towards the exclusive, and if they have found a niche that they can make money in, more power to them.
I doubt that I will be book marking the site though.
Stuart
I wasn’t really asking for feedback on their site, but feedback in the form of experiences that some ToolGuyd readers might have had in ordering from them.
Some readers have asked for reviews of higher priced knives over the years, and so I assumed some readers might have ordered from KnifeArt before.
JMG
As I have never purchased from them, this was all I was able to offer in form of opinion… I have a small knife collection, but few of them ever cost over $300, and the ones that did were mostly utilitarian in nature, and saw actual use in my daily life.
Stuart
Sorry, I didn’t mean to direct the comment at you, I meant it as a general clarification.
Your opinion is very much appreciated, everyone’s is.
I think that premium tools approach artistic styling in several tool industries – knives, woodworking planes, and even tools likeep ratchets and the such.
As long as function is prioritized over form, I’m okay with some aesthetic design decisions.
JMG
No worries, I took no offense. I just though I should clarify. It’s a funny juxtaposition though; while I would have much trouble justifying purchasing most of the knives I saw there, if someone were to offer me a holtzapffel lathe at a price I could afford, I would snap it up without a second thought.
fred
@JMG – like I said before – its “different strokes for different folks” – I can’t quite see the appeal with knives but take no issue with those who do – and hope that they would not think me mad for having bought some pretty pricey infill and other hand planes – both old and more modern as collector pieces – while I mostly use more modestly priced Lie Nielsen and Veritas planes.
A collection of 4 Karl Holtey planes will set you back nearly $24k which might make a dent in your purchase of that lathe you might like to have.
JMG
In answer to your question about which knives someone might want a review on, the Southern Grind brand on the site is unfamiliar to me, and I would not mind seeing a review on one of the entry level blades in that brand.
Jeffrey
I think the Benchmade knives are pretty wonderful. I bought a mini griptilian tanto 8 years ago on sale and with a coupon code for around $60. It has held up to 8 years of daily carry and pretty rough treatment, and it is still in really nice condition.
I would say that $75 is about as much as I would ever spend on a knife, though.
Andrew
Carry what works for YOU myself the edc is the gerber center drive and crkt folding razel combo edge. Some like them some don’t. My tools my choices merry Christmas to everyone ???
Nicholas Thomas Ranella
Emerson knives, 100% hands down. 100% made in the USA, gives people here jobs. Knives are built like tanks, titanium liners, lifetime warranty, plus they feature the Emerson wave feature with allows the knife to open as you pull it from your pocket.
JMG
For anyone interested in Zero Tolerance knives, Amazon is currently offering several of the 350 models for $90 and one at $106. While they are all listed as temp out of stock (big surprise at that price), if you don’t mind waiting, this is the best price I have ever seen on them.
Alick
I count myself a collector as well as a user. I haven’t bought from knife art though I am on their mailing list. When it comes to knives from individual makers, supply can be limited. The options are usually to order direct from the maker which may entail joining a waiting list, or watch the specialist retailers who carry their knives to see who has what in stock.
I can recommend True North Knives for top quality production knives that I would class as users – models from Chris Reeve being equivalent to a BMW or Mercedes, Strider as more akin to a humvee and William Henry as some exotic sports car 🙂
Knives are just like any other tool. If they happen to be your thing, there’s a vast range with specialist steels, varied ergonomics and levels of craftsmanship from mass production to one-off totally hand made.
In this, they are no different from a Stanley vs Veritas vs Norris / Spiers / Holtey or a $2,000+ “named” Japanese plane. From a tuned Beretta vs a stock Mossberg, you name it. If you want a tool made to an above average standard, maybe hand made by just one individual worldwide, you have to pay enough to keep these sellers in business.
Kelsey Mullis
I’ve been buying Opinel pocket knives. Hand made the same way since the 1860’s. For less than $20, you can’t go wrong. Super sharp. All. The. Time. In the event you damage it you won’t be too upset about it bc it was only $20. They garner just as much attention as a $375 knife, you just don’t find old school knives like Opinels everyday. Couple that with a rich history story and you’ve got yourself a white buffalo. They make a few blade styles in carbon and stainless steel, folding and non-folding. They offer several wood species for the handles; I’ve seen beechwood, walnut, and olive wood so far. I think there’s a new offering with a ploy handle.
Highly recommend!
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Opinel
The yeti
I’d be happy to see more knives on here . I like your site . Merry Christmas and Happy new yr
AC
I agree with Alick –
I have purchased many knives over the years, and many of them well over the $50, $75, $150, $200+ marks. I have no safe queens, I use them all. And if it has shown me anything it is when a Knifemaker puts time into a knife it can be identified. I have plenty of Buck, Case, Kershaw, CRKT, SOG, etc. budget knives. And they’re great for what they are. But 8Cr14MoV, 440C or one of the aus-#, steels aren’t on the same level as the modern super steels or good carbon steel. That’s why you can buy a $20 and a $200 from the same manufacturer many times. The same can be said for the function of the knife even in the budget range knives. I can tell a huge difference in form and function of a Kershaw Blur and a Spyderco Endura (both similarly priced). The Blur just doesn’t have the same quality feel as the Endura to me even though I love both. In fact I loved my first blur so much I sought out the S30v variant. This raises the Blur to a new level for me. Likewise, my Endura, doesn’t have the same quality feel as any of my Microtechs. Some of my other Spyderco’s though, might be close to some of my Microtechs. But they aren’t in the price range of the Endura. I do however love the Endura and own many of them. All I’m saying is, you do get what you pay for. I wouldn’t treat a Buck Special 119 like a Busse Battle Mistress and you wouldn’t ask a $50 Harbor Freight table saw to do the same quality job as a Powermatic cabinet saw.
(Also Kelsey – I love and have several Opinel’s as well – Great knife design!)